Hawaii (Big Island) Hotels

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel: Boo hoo bucks to stay here!

by GracesTrips

We did not stay at this resort, though we did visit. My boyfriend did look into what it would cost to stay at this hotel. A partial ocean view room would have been US$900+ per day! That is a lot of money for us. We opted to stay at the Sheraton at about 1/5 of the cost! This was a beautiful hotel and the beach was phenomenal! We walked around and found a wonderful art gallery. This hotel is part of the Princeton Resorts.

Not in Kona but north of the airport on the Kohala Coast. Close to the very nice Waikoloa shopping area.

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel - Castle Resorts: Hotel choices on Hilo side of island is limited

by GracesTrips

We had spent most of our stay on the Kona side of the island at the Sheraton because we wanted to snorkel. You really can't snorkel on the Hilo side of the island. But, we did want to see the Akaka State Falls and do a lava tour which is on the Hilo side so we decided to spend one night at this hotel.

The choices for nice hotels on the Hilo side is very limited. I think this was the best we could find for the price. At one time you could imagine this was a luxurious, swanky hotel but it is dated. It really can you some remodeling and updating in the rooms. However, the airconditioning worked well - not noisy. There was no hand held hair dryer in the room but when requested, they brought us one. We had a great view of Mauna Kea from our window along with ocean views.

For just a place to spend the night was fine for us. We booked this room through travelosity.

Sheraton Keahou Bay Resort: Nice Hotel in Kona

by GracesTrips

We had a pleasant stay at this hotel. Unfortunately, there are no hotels in Kailua-Kona with beach access because it is nothing but lava rocks jetting out as cliffs. This hotel had a meandering swimming pool with a curvy slide. Three and half to four and half feet deep - catering to families. A hot tub and plenty of lounge chairs were to be had.

Wi-fi in the room is not free. Parking is $10 a day with wi-fi in the room it's $15 per day. Free wi-fi is available in the lobby.

Our bed was comfortable and the room itself was okay. I think it could use some updating but it wasn't bad. We did not eat at the hotel's restaurants as we preferred to go out and have local food instead. There is a decent little gift shop at the hotel where you can buy water, wine, postcards and souveniers (which we did).

At the time of booking, hotels.com had cheaper room rates than the hotel's direct site. My boyfriend ended up booking directly with the hotel but at the lower rate. So, do your due diligence of checking rates and get the hotel to give you that rate. Booking directly with the hotel is better than using a third party website because the third party websites won't guarentee the type of room you want.

Hilton Waikoloa Village: Best Hilton Ever

by NedHopkins

The Hilton Waikoloa Village is huge, a resort rather than a hotel. To get around its grounds (and four main towers) one may take either a tram or a boat that runs on rails. A lavish breakfast is served in two of its four restaurants: American, Chinese. Japanese, continental/gourmet. Rooms are large and most offer an ocean view. Activities include cavorting with dolphins and whale-watching.

Uncle Billy's Hilo Bay Hotel: Bit of a Rat Hole

by cjg1

Marriott Waikoloa Resort & Spa: Quiet piece of paradise

by illtryanythingonce

The Waikoloa Resort & Spa near Kona on the Big Island was a true piece of paradise! Rooms were clean, modern and spacious with large bathrooms and really comfortable beds. Flat screen TV wasn't needed because the view (ask for a "partial" ocean view - save some money but still get a view) was fantastic. The grounds were pristine, around three large pools (one was an infinity pool), three hot tubs and even a water slide. Plenty of lounge chairs and the wait staff was incredible. The outdoor bar/restaurant served a pool-side "drink of the day" or walk through historic lava fields and pools to the "A" bay beach - best beach on the island. Snorkeling included in your resort stay was good (not great) but beach was quiet and clean. Lobby was huge, gift shop was inexpensive and loaded with great souvenirs, lobby coffee station was convenient. The staff at the car port were terrific - so funny and helpful. Also, resort within walking distance to ABC stores, fancy (or not) restaurants and a very ancient trail. A great stay - look for onine discounts and have your self a great trip to the Waikoloa Resort & Spa.

Ancient lava fields right outside your door, very contemplative walks between hotel and beach. Pools were tremendous - three hot tubs (no waiting!) Restaurant specials and drink discounts abound.

Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort: Room with a View

by Phalaenopsis03

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Volcano House: Outdated Than Rustic

by Phalaenopsis03

With crater rim views of Kilauea Caldera, the Volcano House's location is its primary draw, and perhaps maybe even its only draw. While it's the only hotel inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the state's oldest continuously operated hotel, it's evident that this hotel's glory days are long gone. The fact that it's changed ownership numerous times in its century plus history may have something to do with it too. Regardless, it makes me sad to say that the Volcano House feels more outdated than it does rustic. I understand having only basic amenities in keeping with lodge living (no TV, no safe, no microwave, no mini-fridge, etc,...), but paying $205 a night for a musty smelling room with peeling wallpaper, decaying sliding doors, creaking floors (you could hear people walking above us continuously), hand crank windows, and a space heater just doesn't seem right. A place can be "rustic", but still be charming. Sorry to say, but the Volcano House is more rusting than charmingly rustic.

We stayed in the "crater view" room in the main building, which afforded us with amazing views of the crater and the Ohia forest just steps away from our room. Additionally, the hotel's proximity to all the sites within the National Park was a major plus, allowing us to beat any visitor traffic. Lastly, in the evening, spend some time in front of the eternal fireplace in the lobby - the lobby, probably being the only place on the property that exemplifies true rustic charm.

Note: Tip originally written Oct. 29 for Oct. 2009 visit to the Big Island.

Addendum (10/31/09): After having checked out of V.H., a hotel representative called me up to tell me that I had forgotten some items in the room. Because I (for once) over-packed, I intentionally left some things behind. It was just nice to know that they cared and were professional enough to give me a call.

Kapoho Joe's: Rent a House in Kapoho

by AKtravelers

We got on vrbo.com and found a house by the Tide Pools.

Hilo Seaside Hotel: Clean and simple

by Nathalie_B

I stayed in this hotel for 3 nights and quite liked it. It was clean and quiet with nice rooms, although the room I stayed in had a window up above, at the ceiling level. But this didn’t bother me at all, after all I wasn’t planning to see the island from the window, I came here to sleep a few hours and hit the road again.
All the rooms are situated around a nice garden, except for those with balconies that face the coy fish pond in front of the hotel.
The hotel is located on the main road in the center of Hilo, just a few minutes walk from Hilo Bay. There are several places to have a meal, nearby, and it has a restaurant as well, however we didn’t like the service so we never came back after having one breakfast there.
It’s a simple tourist class hotel with only basic amenities (AC included). If you’re looking for nothing luxurious then you’ll enjoy it. However, if you’re used to up scaled hotels of Hawaiian Island then I’d suggest you to look for a better place.